The Construct of Phenomenological Analysis: A case study of Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA)

Phenomenological research is a qualitative research approach that questions whether perception mirrors reality or not to understand and describe the universal essence of a phenomenon. This phenomenological approach investigates the everyday experiences of human beings while holding the researchers’ preconceived assumptions about the phenomenon (practicing epoché). Phenomenological research designs have different types and purposes to use in the research that offer unique perspectives and theoretical frameworks for understanding lived experiences. By learning about various approaches, researchers can gain a more nuanced understanding of the phenomenon under study and explore different dimensions of the lived experience. For novice researchers in academia and/or beginners in qualitative research, understanding these approaches and validating when to use what, are challenging tasks. This study addresses and identifies four aspects of phenomenological research. Also, the study showcases one type of phenomenological study which is the Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) including its applied method, challenges and opportunities. The study recruited 20 participants to interview and analyze the scripts using IPA approach. The study informs qualitative researchers who conduct their study around human experience and the perception about this experience, to help them gaining a broader range of tools and methods to draw upon in their research, allowing them to tailor their approach to the specific needs of their study.